44 patients treated with NSAID for a period of over 2 months for a rheumatic disease underwent fibroscopic endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Gastric lesions were found to be more frequent than those of the esophagus or duodenum. They occur in men in particular and are not correlated with symptoms or clinical findings. They are likewise unaffected by the presence of inflammatory arthropathy or simultaneous ingestion of coffee or drugs or smoking. Lesions may improve despite continued use of NSAID.